WildTiger maintains the philosophy that big cat conservation is fundamental to overall wildlife protection and maintaining ecosystems over large areas of Earth.
Big cats, namely tigers, leopards, lions, jaguars, snow leopards, pumas and cheetahs, are important “umbrella species” because they are at the top of the food chain and play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of their respective ecosystems. Umbrella species include those requiring large areas of habitat to survive, and their protection and conservation can have a cascading effect on entire ecosystems including all wildlife within those webs of life.
Additionally, big cats are also culturally and economically important, particularly in countries where they are viewed as national symbols or important tourist attractions. The conservation of big cats can also help promote sustainable ecotourism, which can provide economic benefits to local communities and create incentives for conservation efforts.
The trafficking of big cat body parts (Illegal Wildlife Trade) is a problem stemming from poaching through much of the big cat global range. WildTiger remains committed to countering poaching/trafficking of big cats and wildlife in general.